Look Out, World! (now with before & after!)

UPDATE: Even though I have 1,000 other things to do before we leave for Ireland on Friday, it was just BUGGIN' me that I didn't include the "before" shots here! So, assuming you're interested, here goes...

I learned some awesome actions in Photoshop today! Granted this post might be a bit over-the-top, but I could play for HOURS! Here's a sampling.

First up, the girls, artfully treated... (I'm holding their attention with an animal cracker, if you must know ALL my photographic secrets.)

before:

and after:


Second, ... well, there's nothing that exciting about these photos, but I had to include. Warmer temps mean playing outdoors, and playing outdoors means ... POPSICLES!


The boys get so flippin' excited for popsicles! Patrick stands with his arms draped desperately across the freezer door, yelling, "Puck-les!!" (Sometimes little kid pronunciation is so darn cute you just have to give in!)

Okay, back to my news tricks. Here's Patrick and his eyes. When Patrick was a baby, Elliott (then two) observantly told us his brother's eyes looked like blueberries.

before:

and after: (see how it's all dreamy, with eyes that just jump out?)

These probably won't look that great in sequence... What I really should've done was before & after... Alas, here's Elliott, ever my serious young model.

before:

and after: (all the colors are intensified!)

And here's Pure Patrick Joy:

before: (never a very clear shot, but...)


and after: (with these effects, the photo looks like it's from the '70s!)

Elliott is so proud that he has TOTALLY figured out the whole winking thing. One eye open? DONE.

before: (this one has probably the least change)


and after: (it's clearer and his eyes are much brighter!)

Doesn't Patrick look like he was born decades ago??

before: (born in 2007)


and after: (Patrick's great-great-grandfather)

Here, I asked Elliott to give me his sad face. It's understated--like he's quietly lived a hard life--but, well, he can be an intense kid.

before:

and after:

Just look at that face! [swoon!] But don't stare directly into those eyes... Look away! Look away!!

before:


and after:

It's mighty hard to pick favorites, but I think I ended with my fave of each boy...

before:


and after:

What's your favorite?

If you're a Photoshop user and you're interested in these techniques, check out this GREAT instructional site! (Ree Drummond, you're the coolest!)